The four main players seize the opportunity to portray the brave but flawed heroes who decide they must topple the corrupt despot. The twist here is that D'Artagnan initially refuses to join their quest, seeing his loyalty to his King as over-riding. This creates an internal conflict never seen in Musketeer movies. But, as the story unfolds through some spirited adventures, D'Artagnan has reasons of his own for worrying about the identity of the rightful heir. The main players give sound performances, and Depardiu's hard-drinking, hard-farting, womanizing Porthos harks back to the bawdy irreverence of those early 70's versions. In his first outing after the spectacular success of 'Titanic,' Di Caprio relishes playing the King as a heartless, narcissistic tyrant. As Phillippe, he is the polar opposite: hesitant, diffident.

The plot hems the Musketeers into corners on many occasions, yet they still come out on top. The swordfights are excellent, physical affairs; far more satisfying than Basil Rathbone daintily flicking his epee at all-comers.

A rollicking adventure set against magnificent backdrops and carried by its four main players performing just the right side of ham.